Helicopter Roundup Draws Attention from Horse Advocates

In a controversial move, approximately 40 stray horses on BLM land north of Greybull, Wyoming, were rounded up by helicopters and are currently being held at a stockyard in Shelby, Montana. The roundup, conducted by Cattoor Livestock Roundup, Inc., has drawn significant attention from horse advocacy groups, including the Cloud Foundation, which claims the horses are destined for a Canadian slaughterhouse.

Background of the Roundup

Sara Beckwith of the BLM Cody Office explained that the horses were not wild mustangs but rather a herd that had procreated over 40 years from domestic horses abandoned in the area. As such, the BLM did not hold public meetings prior to the roundup, which took place on March 18 and 19.

Beckwith emphasized that these horses were not part of any nearby wild horse herds, such as the McCullough Peaks herd, which are managed using fertility control. The roundup was necessary due to the horses' wild behavior, which was more pronounced than that of typical wild horses.

Controversy and Concerns

Despite assurances from Beckwith that the horses were not sold for slaughter, an investigation by the Cloud Foundation revealed that the horses were sold to Bouvry Exports, a Canadian slaughterhouse. This has raised concerns among advocates, including Ginger Kathrens, founder of the Cloud Foundation, who expressed heartbreak over the lack of adoption opportunities for the horses.

Wyoming Dept. of Livestock brand inspector Frank Barrett confirmed the roundup and sale of 41 horses to Bouvry. He noted the horses were in good physical condition and described them as "educated," making them difficult to capture.

Reactions from Advocacy Groups

Kathrens criticized the decision not to allow rescue organizations to adopt the horses, stating, "It doesn’t matter if they were technically wild or not, this was not kind or fair." The Cloud Foundation attempted to purchase the horses from the stockyard but was refused, being informed that the horses would proceed to slaughter.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between government agencies and horse advocacy groups regarding the management and treatment of stray and wild horses on public lands.